Breaking Bread

“Breaking bread steals lies,” he whispered in my ear as I broke bread with my fellow inmates. A shiver ran down my spine. New fears began circling in my mind.

Later that night, I woke to him standing naked in my doorway, his eyes hunting me down. Seized with terror, I couldn’t find words to defend myself. I couldn’t scream for help.

Moments later, I heard a shout in the hallway as a tech came running, removing the naked man from view. Nobody spoke a word to me.

I spent the next hour shaking with fear. My medicine kicked in, knocking me out cold until the next morning.

As I walked to the main room, I scanned the people walking in and out. I still didn’t have the words to ask about what had happened. When it was time for a smoke break, everyone on the floor gathered together to go outside. He was nowhere to be seen.